The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Clareville And Taratahi

Clareville And Taratahi.

Clareville lies about five miles from Carterton on the railway line towards Masterton. In addition to the railway service, drags run between Greytown, Carterton, Clareville, and Masterton on Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is no telegraph office, but a telephone connects the village with Carterton. The education of the rising generation is provided for by a public school, at which the average attendance is about 112.

Mails for Clareville close at Wellington at 6.45 a.m., arriving at Clareville at 11.30 a.m.; and close at Clareville for Wellington at 6.45 a.m., arriving at Wellington at 11.50 a.m.

Clareville Public School, which is a wooden structure of the usual type and contains two rooms, stands on a section of two acres in extent, with teacher's residence adjoining. The average attendance of scholars is 100, the staff consisting of the headmaster and two lady teachers.

Mr. Boothwick T. Browne, Headmaster of the Clareville Public School was born in 1847 in Edinburgh, and was educated in Glasgow. After some years in Africa, where he filled important scholastic positions, he came to New Zealand in 1886 on account of ill health. Mr. Browne has held his present appointment for about five years.

Taratahi Steam Saw and Planing Mills
(Wm. Booth and Co., proprietors), Taratahi, near Carterton. This business was established twenty-two years ago, and has been continued to the present time without interruption. The timber supplies are likely to last for ten or twelve years to come. The property of the firm comprises a freehold estate of something over 6000 acres. The part (more than 4000 acres) from which the timber has been removed, now grazes about 5000 sheep and 400 head of cattle, besides horses. The business has for many years provided steady employment for a large body of men. For some years the railway freight paid by the firm averaged from £5000 to £7000 per annum. The timber yards are at Carterton, Wellington, and Christschurch.

Mr. Thomas J. Rathbone, Manager of the Taratahi Steam Sawmills, who was born in Auck and in 1864, is a stepson of Mr. William Booth. He was educated in Carterton, and since 1880 has been working at the mill. Joining as a junior in the office, Mr. Rathbone has worked his way up to the position of manager of the works. He is a member of the Totara Lodge of Druids, in which he has passed the chairs. An active member of St. Mark's Anglican Church, he has been organist for the last four years, and has acted as superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve years. Mr. Rathbone is married, and has two children.